27 is working at a job I love, a job I am good at. It is a healthy working environment with coworkers that have become like family to me. It is ladies’ happy hours, Friday afternoon lunches, inside jokes galore, and giggles throughout the day.
27 is investing in friendships. It’s learning to say yes, even when no feels more comfortable. It’s opening up, being honest, and taking initiative to make plans and reach out.
27 is watching my mom find love again, and being happy for her, even when I wonder when I will find it for myself. It’s stepping back and letting someone else take care of her. It’s welcoming a new family member into the fold.
27 is learning what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person, and building my life to enhance this aspect of my personality, not detract from it. It’s understanding that being an HSP means I experience life a bit differently than other people, that I need tons of alone time to recharge from all the intense sensory processing I do on a daily basis. It’s finding a reason why I feel so different from other people.
27 is getting smarter with my finances, spending within my means, and saving as much as I can. It’s taking teeny-tiny baby steps to more financial freedom. It’s being intentional with how I spend my money and only making purchases that feel good.
27 is realizing what a gift the ability to travel is. It’s having the financial means, the physical means, and the desire for it. It’s understanding that it is a privilege to be able to pack my bags and explore a brand-new country or city.
27 is becoming an aunt for the second time. It’s a tiny life growing inside my sister-in-law. It’s watching my nephew warm up to the idea of being a big brother. It’s anticipation, glee, hope, and love.
27 is no husband or serious boyfriend. It’s no house or apartment on my own. It’s no babies (and thank God for that!). But 27 is a life I love. It’s family I adore. It’s a dachshund that makes me abundantly happy every single day. It’s the life I’m meant to be living, no matter how far off the timeline I may be.
This post is so good! I like it!
Now I’m sorry I didn.t make one for myself, ha!
Oh my gosh I LOVE this! Here’s to your best year yet my friend!
Love this post. I am glad that so many things came together for you in the last year – like getting to the point where you enjoy your work environment and feel you are great at your job. And I think it’s great that you can reflect on your life and describe a long list of blessings. There is so much we all take for granted so this is a reminder to be thankful for all that we have! I hope that the year to come is a great one. And I can’t wait to hear about your Savannah trip!!!
Happy birthday, Stephany! I hope the coming year is everything you wish for.
Love love love love love. Seriously.. I love this post and I love how you’re embracing where you are in your life right now. Happy birthday, Stephany!
Great post, Stephany! You have a lot of wonderful things in your life right now and coming up! Don’t worry about a timeline… you are exactly where you are supposed to be at this moment, and everything else will happen when it’s meant to!
Everyone has their own timeline. At 31, I have no kids, no house I own, etc. but I have so many other great things, even though it looks different. I firmly believe that happiness comes when we embrace what is, no matter how different from other people’s timelines it looks.
Echoing what Amy said; I don’t think there is a timeline. If I followed everyone else’s I would be barefoot and pregnant, not a working career woman with two step daughters. Do what works for you, when it works for you, and when it comes into your life… and believe me, I know it will!
I absolutely love everything about this post, most importantly how darn happy you are (it comes through in your words!). Wishing you the best 27th year, ever!
Happy belated birthday! It has been a pleasure being a cheerleader in your life this past year at a more personal level than the years before.
Great post! Happy Belated Birthday, Lady. Hope 27 is your best year yet! <3
Great post – & may this year be great to you! <3
27 sounds absolutely smashing. Happy Birthday!!
(and you are on a timeline. It’s called: Stephany’s Timeline)
Awesome!! Happy birthday! 🙂
HAPPY 27!!! This post is all sorts of awesome. I agree with everyone else…you are exactly where you are supposed to be. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things 27 has in store for you 🙂
Happy birthday Stephany! This is great. You have an awesome life. Don’t worry about the timeline.
My fantasy timeline was serious college boyfriend, married at 24, first kid at 26, second at 28, done.
In reality, I had no boyfriend from age 17 until I met my husband at age 29 (lots of bad first dates later). We got engaged 10 months later and married at 31. Then no baby till 35 (thanks infertility). But my life is exactly what it’s supposed to be and I’m so grateful for it. If I had a time machine, I’d go tell 27-year-old Single Bitter Sonya not to worry so much, so I’ll tell you instead. 🙂
One of my best college friends is getting married for the first time next April at 41. So you just never know. Enjoy your journey!
Love this so much. Hurray for 27 xo
I hope you had a wonderful birthday and a great trip to Savannah! Sounds like 27 is going to be a pretty amazing year for you!
This is SO incredibly beautiful! It sounds like 27 is going to be amazing! xoxox